I call
the saints to witness! All the way has been difficult, thorns
of nature's and my enemies' planting, but God knoweth, I
have trodden it steadily. I have given much to the Sovereigns,
how much it is future days brighter than these will
show! I have been true servant to them. If now, writing
in chains, upon the caravel _Santa, Marta_, I cry to them for
justice, it is because I do not fear justice!"
He ceased to speak, then presently, "I would that all
might see the light that I see over the future!--Thou seest
it, Juan Lepe."
"Aye, I see light over the future."
By littles the storm fell. Ere dawn we could say, "We
shall outlive it!" He slept for an hour then waked. "I
was dreaming of the Holy Land--but do you know, Juan
Lepe, it was seated here in the lands we found!"
"Seated here and everywhere," I said. "As soon as we
see it so and make it so."
"Aye, I know that the sea is holy, and so should be all
the land! The prophet sees it so--"
The dawn came faintly in upon us. All was quieter, the
footing overhead steady, not hasting, frightened. Light
strengthened. A boy brought him breakfast. He ate with
appetite. "You are better," I said, "and younger."
"It is a strange thing," he answered, "but so it had been
from my boyhood. Is the danger close and drear, is the
ship upon the reef, then some one pours for me wine! Some
one, do I say? I know Whom!"
I began to speak of the Adelantado.
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